The Navkar Mantra. The Navkar Mantra is the most important mantra in Jainism and can be recited at any time. While reciting the Navkar Mantra, we are bowing down with respect to Arihantas (souls who have reached the state of non-attachment towards worldly process), Siddhas (liberated souls), Ächäryäs (heads of sadhus and sadhvis), Upädhyäyas (those who teach scriptures to sadhus and sadhvis), Sädhus (monks, who have voluntarily given up social, economical and family relationships) and Sädhvis (nuns, who have voluntarily given up social, economical and family relationships). Collectively, they are called Panch Parmesthi (five supreme spiritual people). In this mantra we worship their virtues rather than worshipping any one particular person; therefore, this Mantra is not named after Lord Mahavir, Lord Parshvanath or Adinath, etc. When we recite Navkar Mantra it, also reminds us that, we need to be like them. This mantra is also called Namaskär or Namokär Mantra because we are bowing down. The Navkär Mantra contains the main message of Jainism. The message is very clear. If we want to be liberated from this world then we have to take the first step of renunciation by becoming a monk or a nun. This is the beginning. If we stay on the right path then we will proceed to a higher state, Arihant, and ultimately proceed to Siddha after nirvana (liberation from the cycle of birth and death). The goal of every Jain is, or should be, to become a siddha. They are as follows: Those who have cleared their gati karmas (arihants) The fully liberated souls (siddhas) The spiritual leaders or Preceptors (acharyas) The teachers (upajjhayas) The monks or sages in the world. There is no mention of any particular names of the gods or any specific person. The prayer is done towards the guna (the good qualities) of the gods, teachers and the saints. Jains do not ask for any favors or material benefits from the Tirthankaras or from sadhus. This mantra simply serves as a gesture of deep respect towards beings they believe are spiritually ahead and to remind the people of their ultimate goal of nirvana or moksa. Digambaras and Sthanakvasis regard the first five lines as the main mantra, the following two lines being explanatory as to the benefit of reciting the mantra. The Ṇamōkāra Mantra Ṇamō Arihantāṇaṁ I bow to the Arihants, the Conquerors. Ṇamō Siddhāṇaṁ I bow to the Siddhas, the Liberated ones. Ṇamō Ayariyāṇaṁ I bow to the Acharyas, the Preceptors. Ṇamō Uvajjhāyāṇaṁ I bow to the Upadhyays, the Teachers. Ṇamō Lōē Savva Sāhūṇaṁ I bow to all the Sages of the world. Ēsō pan̄ca ṇamō kārō, savva pāvappaṇā saṇō This five-fold salutation (mantra) completely destroys all the sins. Maṅgalā ṇaṁ ca savvēsiṁ, paḍamama havaī maṅgalaṁ And, of all auspicious mantras, (it) is indeed the foremost auspicious one. The Navkar by Ms Lata Mangeshkar. https://youtube/watch?v=vIOPaTUNkvQ
Posted on: Fri, 26 Dec 2014 14:17:25 +0000
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